Cute Winter Running Gear to Bust Your "It's Too Cold to Run" Excuse

Nothing beats sore muscles the day after a good run, but lingering windburn? Well, there are a lot of things we'd prefer to that. Namely, the Reversible Expedition Neck Gaiter from Sweaty Betty. The drawstrings ensure a snug fit to seal out wind—you can even use it to pull over the nose if needed.



via Pocket http://ift.tt/1u63cXK

Holiday Packing

My running gear is nearly equal or more than the "normal" clothes I will be wearing for the next three weeks.  And I must be honest I will probably be wearing my running gear with jeans while lounging with the families.

How many of you are packing running gear for your holiday travel?

7 Things To Bring On A Run

1. house key

Seriously, nothing worse than being exhausted, sweaty, and hungry on the street.

2. money

Good for emergency fluids, transit (hey, there’s nothing wrong with running as far as you can one-way and metroing it back) or making a SOS call (contrary to popular belief, pay phones still exist, at least in Madrid).

3. identification

In Madrid, and most European cities, the police will accept a photocopy with the acknowledgement that your passport is at your hotel.

4. ipod (optional)

iPhone, iTouch, iShuffle, etc, tunes add a little extra spring in our step and decrease pain.

5. fuel belt filled with electrolytes, or just water.

Hydration is key. Especially in summer time Madrid.

6. gels

I recommends one for every 45 minutes (plus one extra for good measure).

7. bodyglide

Keep things going smoothly with a little extra help from Bodyglide. You don’t need to be worrying about chaffing AND getting through 30k or more.

 

A Few Things Every Runner Should Have

1. Body Glide – Eliminate chaffing and ensure you’ve got no reason to stop. Vaseline works well too!

2. Wool socks - They are the best at pulling moisture away from your foot which helps to prevent blisters

 

3. Running shoes – Stop running in your cross trainers and get fitted for a true pair of running shoes. Your local running shop will analyze your stride for free and let you run around in the shoes to test them out.

 

4. Salt Stick tablets - During summer sweat-fests you can wash out your electrolytes with all the water you are taking in and electrolyte tablets like SaltStick that will help to keep you balanced.

 

5. MapMyRun – No need to run out and get a GPS watch when you are starting out! Instead you can look up your route and distance on MapMyRun. I used for months and then moved on to something "pricier" but still enjoyed the app.

 

6. Anti-bacterial – If you want that dry fit clothing you are buying to keep you smelling like a rose, be sure to look for “anti-bacterial” on the label.

 

7. Sunglasses – Not only do they protect your eyes from flying debris, and reflected sunlight, but they ensure you don’t squint which helps to keep your face relaxed.

 

8. Handheld Water Bottle – For many new runners a handheld water bottle is easier to adjust to than a waist belt and takes less effort to grip than a water bottle alone. I've used both in the past, and let the day dictate how I carry my water.

 

Summer Fact

Wear the Right Fabrics

 

In the heat of summer, wearing the wrong type of clothing can add to your misery. Trust me. Even with the correct fabric, you can still have a tough time. So wear the least amount of clothing you’re comfortable with, and try to keep it somewhat loose-fitting. I try for loose light colors. Avoid cotton at all costs and any other absorbent materials, as they will just hold in moisture, fail to keep you cool, and cause painful chafing. See bloody nipples entry for how even with correct material it can be difficult. I can't imagine cotton.

 

Stick with light, moisture-wicking tech fabrics from head to toe, which pull moisture away from your body and dry quickly. Don’t forget to look for your summer socks (double lined socks) in these materials as well, to prevent blisters.

 

New Shoes

Nothing like new gear to get you pumped up to run.  I got two new pairs of running shoes at a local PA store.  Shoes are so much cheaper in USA than EU.  My mother pushed me to get the flamboyant yellow and orange ones.  Made me laugh.

First day on them.  Here we go!